Display device

ABSTRACT

An active display device which varies between recognizable geometric shapes and presents continuously moving, unrecognizable shapes intermediate of the two recognizable shapes. The device may also carry indicia which is alternately covered by the recognizable shapes, and/or is alternately electrically actuated by the moving portions of the display and indicia may be carried directly on the moving portions.

- United States Patent [191 Atkins I [54] DISPLAY DEVICE [75] Inventor:Henry M. Atkins, Newington, Conn.

[73]. Assignee: The Connecticut Bank and Trust Company, Hartford, Conn.

221 Filed: Mar. 5, 1971 211 Appl.No.: 121,486

52 Us. Cl. ..40/33, 35/34, 273/155 51 Int. Cl ..G09f 11/00 [58] Field ofSearch ..40/33, 36, 35, 61, 40/62, 67, 65, 139, 53 A, 52 A, 53 B 56]References Cited UNITED'STATES'PATENTS 3,394,674 7/1968 Downing ..40/35X 3,562,936 2/1971 Schoenung ....40/6l R 1,822,798 9/1931 Carroll..40/6l R [451 Apr. 10, 1973 OTHER PUBLICATIONS Gardner, Martin;Scientific American, June, 1958 Vol. 198,N0. 6, Pages 108, 110, 112.

Primary Examiner-Robert W. Michell Assistant Examiner-Vance Y. HumAtt0rney-Fishman & Van Kirk [57] ABSTRACT An active display device whichvaries between recognizable geometric shapes and presents continuouslymoving, unrecognizable shapes intermediate of the two recognizableshapes. The device may also carry indicia which is alternately coveredby the recognizable shapes, and/or is alternately electrically actuatedby the moving portions of the display and indicia may be carrieddirectly on the moving portions. 1

7 Clains, 5 Drawing Figures P N /5.2101273 V 5, 3

" SHEEIlUF2 FIG. 2

INVENTORS HENRY ATKINS B IZMW ATTORNEYS DISPLAY DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION or moving display devices. Accordingly, the general obl jectsof the present invention are to provide novel and improved methods andapparatus of such character.

2. Description of the Prior Art There are, of course, presentlyavailable numerous display devices of both the static and activevariety. In preparing an animated or moving display, care must be takento maintain the prominence of the message to be conveyed. In many cases,particularly when animated figures are employed, the message will beeclipsed by the animation and the display as a whole loses its value asan advertising medium. A second important design criteria in theproduction of a display device is the provision of an intermediate stageor stages of animation during which no recognizable message or design ispresented to a viewer by the moving portion of the display. In the priorart it has been common to achieve this intermediate animation stage byremoving members from view in a jack-in-the-box fashion. However, in theinterest of holding attention, it is preferable that the viewer beprovided with a display which is in continuous motion and varies betweenthe unrecognizable state and the message transmitting state or states.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprises a noveltechnique and apparatus for achieving the above, briefly discusseddisplay design criteria. In obtaining these objectives the presentinvention provides a display device which moves in substantiallycontinuous fashion from a first recognizable geometric figure through anintermediate and unrecognizable state to a second recognizable geometricfigure and thence returns to the first geometric figure via anotherunrecognizable state. Either one or both of the recognizable geometricshapes will, in addition, define some form of indicia and this indiciawill vary so that a first presentation will be given by the first figureand a second presentation will be given by the second figure. Theinvention may also be provided with either or both static andelectrically actuated means for producing subsidiary displays when themoving portion is in either one or both of the recognizable geometricconfigurations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The present invention may be betterunderstood and its numerous objects and advantages will become apparentto those skilled in the art by reference to the accompanying drawingwherein like reference numerals refer to like elements in the severalfigures and in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention with the moving. portion of the display in a firstrecognizable geometric figure defining position;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with the movingportion of the display in a second recognizable geometric figuredefining position;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 depicting themotion producing mechanism;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 in a firstintermediate condition, the condition of FIG. 4 being assumed in thecourse of proceeding from the FIG. 1 position to the FIG. 2 position;and

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4; the display having proceeded furthertowards the FIG. 2 position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED I EMBODIMENT In accordance with the presentinvention, the animated or moving portion of the display defines a pairof recognizable geometric shapes. The display also defines, in thecourse of moving between the two recognizable shapes, intermediateconditions wherein there is both movement and nothing recognizablepresented to a viewer. In these intermediate stages, therefore, theviewers curiosity and thus attention is attracted to the display. Inaccordance with the dis closed embodiment, the two recognizable shapesare a triangle, as shown in FIG. 1, and a square as shown in FIG. 2.

The cutting of an equilateral triangle into four pieces and thereafterreassembling these pieces to define a square is in accordance with amathematical puzzle attributed to Henry E. Dudeney. Dudeney referred tothis puzzle as the haberdashers problem. Considering the drawing of thepresent invention, the four elements of the puzzle are indicated at 10,12, 14 and 16. By hinging the four elements together at three verticesby means of hinges 18, 20 and 22, the pieces form a chain that can beclosed in one direction to define the triangle and in the oppositedirection to define the square.

In accordance with the present invention it has been determined thatDudeneys haberdashers problem can be employed as a display device ifcertain criteria are met. In order to function as a display it is, ofcourse, necessary that the puzzle be operated in such a manner that theplane defined by its front or viewed surface is oriented vertically orwith only a slight deviation from the vertical so as to facilitateviewing. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the puzzle moves against orimmediately in front of a panel 30. Panel 30 has, extending from thefront surface thereof, supporting shelf means indicated generally at 32.The shelf means 32, as will be described further below, may take severalforms depending upon the manner in which motion is transmitted to thepuzzle. In the disclosed embodiment, shelf means 32 is defined byplatform members 34 and 36 which are separated by a gap or cut-outindicated generally at 38. Also for reasons to be discussed below,cut-out 38 is preferably provided with a stepped portion 40 as shown. Itis considered desirable, but not essential, that a shock absorbingmember be provided in the vicinity of step 40. In the disclosedembodiment, the shock absorbing member comprises an upwardly extendingfinger 42 of resilient material.

It is to be noted that in actual practice the platform means 32 and thecut-out 38 will be covered so as not to be visible to one viewing thedisplay. The covering means will typically be colored so as to blend inwith panel 30. Panel 30 may also be provided with suitable means so thatadditional or supplemental messages may be provided on the display. Forexample,- panel 30 may include a pair of windows 44 and 46 which, in thedisclosed embodiment, have translucent portions which define a writtenmessage. Switch means, which will be discussed below in the course ofthe description of FIG. 3, are provided for energizing light sourcespositioned behind windows 44 and 46. In addition, if desired, furtherwritten messages may be provided on panel 30 so as to be alternatelyexposed; a first message being covered by the puzzle when in thetriangular position and a second message being covered by the puzzlewhen in the square position. In either or both cases, the writtenmessage on the panel will change as the geometric shape changes.

The puzzle itself may also, as may be seen from a joint consideration ofFIGS. 1 and 2, carry indicia. In the example shown, the indicia carriedby the puzzle is in a scrambled state with the display in the FIG. 1position and the indicia is in an intelligible state with the puzzle inthe FIG. 2 position. Numerous alternatives are, of course, possible.Thus, for example, a pair of separate messages or designs may beprovided on the puzzle whereby the region at the center of the puzzlewill define a first design or message when in the FIG. 1 position and asecond design or message when in the FIG. 2 position.

In addition to the vertical or near vertical orientation, the manner ofdriving the puzzle has been found to be critical. That is, operation ofthe display is possible only with the drive shaft 48 attached to thesmaller of the two elements which forms the base of the triangle asshown in FIG. 1. In the embodiment disclosed, the drive shaft must beconnected to element 12. Operation may, however, also be achieved withthe drive shaft connected to element 14 provided that the puzzle, asviewed in FIG. 1, is turned such that element 14 forms the smaller ofthe two elements defining the triangle base. If the drive is connectedto element 14 it is necessary that hinge 18 be relocated so as toconnect elements and 12 where they abut one another along the right legof the triangle as viewed in FIG. 1.

The point of attachment of shaft 48 to the appropriate puzzle elementdetermines the relative vertical levels of platforms 34 and 36 and alsowhether the square" and triangle will appear to an observer to betilted. From an asthetic viewpoint, the preferable arrangement is toalign platforms 34 and 36 at the same level. Considering the embodimentof FIG. 1, the foregoing may be accomplished only by connecting driveshaft 48 to puzzle element 12 along a line indicated by the broken linein FIG. 1. The location of the broken line is determined by the pointsof intersection of lines H, and H, of equal length and perpendicular tothe respective adjacent sides of the puzzle element.

Considering FIG. 3, animation of the puzzle is achieved by means of anoscillating device which includes an electrical drive motor 50. Theoutput shaft 52 of motor is provided with an eccentric drive includingcircular cam 54 and arm 56; arm 56 being coupled to cam 54 at a firstend via a pivotable connection 58. The other end of arm 56 is pivotablyconnected at 60 to a ratchet mechanism 62. The teeth on ratchetmechanism 62 engage teeth on a gear 64 which is keyed to drive shaft 48.Accordingly, as motor 50 rotates, reciprocating motion will betransmitted to ratchet 62 and drive shaft 48 will be rotated alternatelyclockwise and counterclockwise.

The ratchet 62 is provided with a projection 66 which, at the oppositelimits of motion of the ratchet, will contact and cause closing ofswitches 68 and 70. The closing of switches 68 and 70 will alternatelyenergize light sources 74 and 72 positioned behind windows 46 and 44. Inthe interest of clarity, the electrical connections between switches 68and 70 and the lamps 72 and 74 have been omitted from FIG. 3. It is tobe noted that, in the interest of emphasis, one of the lamps may bepermanently energized and, in the disclosed embodiment, the GIVE lamp 72is shown as being in this condition.

Considering now operation of the display, and starting from the FIG. 1state, transmission of clockwise rotational motion to drive shaft 48will cause the puzzle to turn to the intermediate position shown in FIG.4. In

accordance with the invention it has been found thatsuccessful operationmay be obtained only by providing the cut-out 38 which affords clearancefor partial movement of elements 12 and 16 below the plane defined bythe shelf means 32. In addition, proper operation depends upon thethrowing of elements 10 and 14 outwardly so as to define theintermediate chain configuration of FIG. 5. In order to achieve thisthrowing it has been found necessary to provide for transmission ofenergy to elements 10 and 14 via element 16. The foregoing isaccomplished by insuring that element 16 will free fall a short distancein proceeding from the position depicted in FIG. 4 to that shown in FIG.5. However, in the interest of drive system integrity, the step 40 andshock absorbing member 42 are provided to limit the amount of free falland thus to limit the shock transmitted via element 12 to the drivemechanism. It will be observed that it is necessary only to transmitsufficient energy to elements 10 and 14 to cause these elements to falloff element 16 since the throwing action is gravity assisted. It is tobe noted that successful operation can be achieved, at the expense oflong term reliability, merely by employing a pair of separated supportplatforms 34 and 36. In proceeding from the FIG. 2 condition back to theFIG. 1 condition the element 16 will initially ride on platform 34 andelements 10 and 14 will be thrown to the chain intermediateconfiguration by the partial rotation of element 16 which is produced bythe movement of element 12.

While a preferred embodiment has been shown and described, variousmodifications and substitutions may be made thereto without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, for example,vertical rather than horizontal relative positioning of the tworecognizable geometric shapes may be obtained through the use ofelectromagnets positioned behind panel 30 and a magnetic material insertin one of the puzzle elements; energizing and de-energizing of themagnets in the proper sequence permitting free fall of the entire chainbetween the position of FIG. 1 and that of FIG. 2 and vice-versa.Alternatively, vertical positioning may be achieved through the use of aretractable pin or pins. Also, as noted previously, platforms 34 and 36may be on different levels and the shock absorbing device 42 may take avariety of forms. Similarly, the hinges between the puzzle elements maybe mechanical devices or, as is usually preferred, the hinges may becomprised of a suitable flexible material. Accordingly, it may be seenthat the present invention has been described by way of illustration andnot limitation.

What is claimed is:

l. A display device comprising:

an indicia member having states commensurate with at least tworecognizable shapes, said member being comprised of four elementsinterconnected by hinge means, said recognizable shapes being a squareand a triangle;

means for transmitting motion to one of said elements of said memberwhereby said member may be caused to alternately assume said shapes,said motion transmitting means including a drive shaft connected to thesmaller of the two elements which define the base of the triangle withthe display in the triangle state;

means for producing and coupling oscillatory motion to said drive shaftwhereby said shaft alternately rotates in the clockwise andcounterclockwise directions; and

a pair of spaced platform means for at least partly supporting saidindicia member in the triangular and square states.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said indicia member defines a pairof planar surfaces and wherein said device further comprises:

an indicia display affixed to a first of said planar surfaces, saiddisplay changing as the state of said member is varied.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising:

a backing member positioned adjacent a first of said planar surfaces;and

indicia applied to said backing member in the vicinity of said indiciamember, a first portion of said indicia applied to said backing memberbeing exposed with said member in the triangular state and a secondportion of said indicia being exposed with said member being in thesquare state.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising:

a backing member positioned adjacent a first of said indicia memberplanar surfaces;

supplemental message transmitting means mounted on said backing member;and

means operatively connected to said oscillatory motion producing meansfor periodically energizing said supplemental message transmittingmeans.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said indicia member defines a pairof planar surfaces and wherein said device further comprises:

a backing member positioned adjacent a first of said planar surfaces;and

indicia applied to said backing member in the vicinity of said indiciamember, a first portion of said indicia applied to said backing memberbeing exposed with said member in the triangular state and a secondportion of said indicia being exposed with said member in the squarestate.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said indicia member defines a pairof planar surfaces and wherein said device further comprises:

a backing member positioned adjacent a first of said indicia memberplanar surfaces; supplemental message transmitting means mounted on saidbacking member; and

means operatively connected to said oscillatory motion producing meansfor periodically energizing said supplemental message transmittingmeans.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a third platform positioned between said pair of platforms, said indiciamember falling off a first of said pair of platforms onto said thirdplatform in the course of changing from a first to a second statewhereby said indicia member elements are caused to assume a serialintermittent arrangement supported by said first platform.

I)! i l

1. A display device comprising: an indicia member having statescommensurate with at least two recognizable shapes, said member beingcomprised of four elements interconnected by hinge means, saidrecognizable shapes being a square and a triangle; means fortransmitting motion to one of said elements of said member whereby saidmember may be caused to alternately assume said shapes, said motiontransmitting means including a drive shaft connected to the smaller ofthe two elements which define the base of the triangle with the displayin the triangle state; means for producing and coupling oscillatorymotion to said drive shaft whereby said shaft alternately rotates in theclockwise and counterclockwise directions; and a pair of spaced platformmeans for at least partly supporting said indicia member in thetriangular and square states.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein saidindicia member defines a pair of planar surfaces and wherein said devicefurther comprises: an indicia display affixed to a first of said planarsurfaces, said display changing as the state of said member is varied.3. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising: a backing memberpositioned adjacent a first of said planar surfaces; and indiCia appliedto said backing member in the vicinity of said indicia member, a firstportion of said indicia applied to said backing member being exposedwith said member in the triangular state and a second portion of saidindicia being exposed with said member being in the square state.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 2 further comprising: a backing member positionedadjacent a first of said indicia member planar surfaces; supplementalmessage transmitting means mounted on said backing member; and meansoperatively connected to said oscillatory motion producing means forperiodically energizing said supplemental message transmitting means. 5.The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said indicia member defines a pair ofplanar surfaces and wherein said device further comprises: a backingmember positioned adjacent a first of said planar surfaces; and indiciaapplied to said backing member in the vicinity of said indicia member, afirst portion of said indicia applied to said backing member beingexposed with said member in the triangular state and a second portion ofsaid indicia being exposed with said member in the square state.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein said indicia member defines a pair ofplanar surfaces and wherein said device further comprises: a backingmember positioned adjacent a first of said indicia member planarsurfaces; supplemental message transmitting means mounted on saidbacking member; and means operatively connected to said oscillatorymotion producing means for periodically energizing said supplementalmessage transmitting means.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 furthercomprising: a third platform positioned between said pair of platforms,said indicia member falling off a first of said pair of platforms ontosaid third platform in the course of changing from a first to a secondstate whereby said indicia member elements are caused to assume a serialintermittent arrangement supported by said first platform.